Mechanism for controlling the flow of fluid to and from an air-tight chamber.



C. E. H. ARMBRUSTER.

MECHANISM FOR CONTROLLING THE FLOW 0F FLUID TO AND FROM AN AIR TIGHT CHAMBER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT- 2, 1914.

1,172,661. Patented Feb. 22,1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

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MECHANISM FOR CONTROLLING THE FLOW 0F FLUID TO AND FROM AN AIR TIGHT CHAMBER. APPLICATION FILED SEPT-2. 1914.

1,172,661. Patented Feb. 22,1916.

- 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

' WITNESSES: IN VEN TOR.

* N TED v s ATEs AT ENT curios;

CHARLES E. H, ABMBRUSTEB, or ,n N'VEmcoLoRano,

MECHANISM non ooN'rnoLLiNG THE To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, CHARLES E. H. Anar- BRusrnR, a citizen of the United States, residing at Denver, inthe county of Denver and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mechanism for Controlling the Flow ofFluid to and from an Air-Tight Chamber, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a mechanism for controlling the flow of air to and from an air pump, and more particularly to mechanism .for directing the flow of air between a combined vacuum and pressure pump and a body-casing comprised in the apparatus,

ed to produce an air-tight chamber over or around a portion of the human-body, a combined exhaust and pressure pump, the inlet and outlet openings of which are connected with said casing, and a controlling mechanism which is capable of regulating and directing the flow of air between the two elements, and which is the subject of the present application.

It is the principal object of'my invention to provide a 'mechanisn'uof the character described, which is capable of adjustment for directing the air to and from the air chamber to produce the following results: let, the exhaust of air from the chamberalternately with the supply of air of atmospheric pressure thereto 2d, the exhaust of air from the chamber alternately with the supply of air of more than atmospheric pressure thereto 3d, the alternate supply to the chamber of compressed air and air of atmospheric pressure; 4th, the continuousv maintenance of a partial vacuum within the chamber; 5th, the continuous maintenance of air of more than atmospheric pressure in the chamber, and 6th, the continuous maintenance of air of atmospheric pressure in the chamber. I

In addition to effecting theabove enumer- Specification of Letters Patent. I

section along the line 2-2, Fig. 1, Fig.

snow or FLUID 'rjo' AND FROM; an AIR-TIGHT CHAMBER. 4

ated variations in the flow of air between the pump and the casing my improved mechanism is capable of varying the degree of" a vacuum produced in the casing, or the density of compressed air supplied thereto, and of varying the proportional lengths of the alternate periods of varying pressures produced in the operation of the apparatus to obtain the results mentioned above under 1, 2 and 8. p r

In the accompanying drawings in the various views of which like parts :are similarly designated, Figure l is a plan View of my improved controlling mechanism, Fig. 2, a 3 a section along the line 33, Fig. 1, Fig. 4: asection along theline M, Fig." 1, Fig. 5, a

"Patented Feb. 22, 1916. Application filed September 2, 1914; Serial No. 859,909.

fragmentary plan view of the parts shown in Figs, and Fig. 6, an elevation of the difiercut elements comprised in the system of cooperative devices of which the present in-; vention forms part;

Referring first to Fig. 6 of the drawings, the reference numeral2 designates a com-- bined exhaust and pressure pump, 8 an elec tric motor which has a driving connection with the pump, 4 the casing which is adaptedto be applied to a human body to produce an air-tight chamber over or around a portion thereof, and 5 thecontrolling mechanism which'will now be described in detail.

The various parts of the mechanisms as shown in Fig. 1 of'thedrawings, are mounted on a base 6 together with an electric motor 13. V V 7 The primary elementof the mechanismis an, oscillating valve 7 of the butterfly type which is fitted: Within the chamber 8 of a valve h0using'2 1 supported on the base.

The housing has furthermore three secondary chambers 9, 10 and 11 which connect with the primary chamber by means of ports or passages 12, and with the atmosphere by meansof ports 18; Y Rotatably fitted in the secondary. chambers are hollow cylindrical, valves 19 provided with, handles 20 which project through if I valve 19 which. is fitted in the chamber 9, has two ports one of which is proportioned to constantly maintain the passagelQ in an open condition, for the flow of air between the chamber 9 and the primary chamber 8,

and the other one of which is adapted to open the normally closed atmosphereport 18 of the chamber 9 by adjustment of thevalve. The two'valves which are fitted respectively in. the chambers 10 and 11, are constructed to open the atmosphere ports of their chambers and simultaneously close the respective passages 12, in one out their positions and to close the said ports and at the same time open the said passages in their other position.

The valve 7 which is mounted for rotation'in the chamber 8, is formed integrally with and in diametrical relation to two annular parts 21. which are disposed at oppowith the chamber 9, an openingi fll tor the admission of air of atmospheric pressure, whose width like that of the said. passage, does not exceed the length of the are through which the valve moves.

The transmission mechanism above referred to, comprises two friction disks 1% and which are mounted for rotation about parallel axes in hearings on the base 6 and which are trictionally engaged by an intermediary wheel 16. This wheel is rotatably mounted on the plain end portion of a screw 29 which is mounted in a correspondingly threaded bearing 31 on the base and which at its opposite'end has a hand-wheel 32 for its manual rotation.

The axes of the disks areout of alinement to permit of the wheel l tiengaging the surfaces of the disks at opposite sides of their respective centers, so that by adjustment of the wheel by rotation of the screw 29 the velocity ot the driven disk 15 may be varied with respect to the constant velocity of the driving disk 141:. The latter is operatably connected with the armature shaft of the motor'by a worm and gear movement designated by the numeral 17 in Fig. 1, and the shaft of the driven disk carries a crank arm 18 which at its outer end is provided with an anti-friction roller 33 for the operation of the contrivance which converts the rotary movement of the disk into a rocking movement of the valve 7. This contrivance consists of a bar 3 which at one of its ends is mounted for reciprocation on a rocker arm 50 pivotally supported in a bearing on thebase and which at its.

opposite end has a pivotal connection with a wrist on the beforementloned crank 23 of the valve 7..

The bar has at opposite sides of the center 0% rotation of the crankarm 18,.

curved faces 35 and 36 which are'wiped by the roller 33 atthe end of the arm .18 for the purpose of moving the bar alternately in opposite directions formed on blocks 25 and 27 which areslidably mounted for their adjustment to two.

determinate positions in which they aresecured by means of set screws-3'7 and 38.

One of the blocks, 27, is mounted on the bar itself, while the other block, 25,is mounted on an arm 28 which at one of its ends is pivot. ally connected to the bar as at 39. The bar is provided with a slotted segment d0 extend ing at opposite sides thereof, andv the arm carries a set-screw 30 which projects through the slot of the seginent to secure the arm in either itsnormal positionin The cana faces; are,-

parallel relation to the bar 34: or in its ad- 1 .justed positions at either end. of the seg--- ment as indicated in broken lines -in;Fig.e'.-

A coiled spring all connected at its eXa tremities to the base Gandto the end of the bar--34 at whichit connects with. the valve 23, serves to y eldingly maintain the parts in the positions to which'thcy are moved by the alternate engagement of the roller 33 with the cam iaces onthe blocks and-27.

Referring to Fig. 6 'ot' the drawings it will be seen that the valve chamber 9 is connected with the body'casing l by a pipe 42 while the chambers 11 and 10 connect respectively with the inlet opening 43 and the outlet opening 44 of the pump 2 by means of conduits 45 and T6, the last menr tioned one of which includes-an oil separator -17 of suitable construction.

Itavill be observed thatthe oscillating valve 7 places the continuously open passage 12 of the chamber?) which connects with the body casing 4i, alternately in com nection with the passages leadingrto thetwo chambers 11 and 10 which respectively connect with the inlet opening and the outlet opening-0t the pump. When it is desired to alternately exhaust the air from the casing 4t andplace the same in communication with the atmosphere, the valves are placed in the position shown in Fig.- 2 of the drawings in which theatmosphere ports 18"of the chambers 9 and 11 which respectively connect with the casing 4i and with the-inlet :43

of the pump, are closed while the come sponding port of the chamber 10 which is 1 connected with the air outlet of the pump,

=ing, the motor 13 is stopped, the valve is opened and the passage 112-b etween athe last-mentioned :chamber and the chamber S is closed 'TW hen the valve :7 is moved to the position shown in full vlines 1 111 12,

the aircontained in :the casing l will be drawn through "the pipe 41-2- vintoilthe chain her 9 and through the therewith communicating chamber '11 'into :the conduit .45

\ through which 1 it flow-s to 5 the pump, J-andith'e compressed air which at the same iftime :is

delivered fromthe'pump through zits outlet opening 4% .is simultaneously discharged through theiport 'lsoflthe 'chamber'lO with which said opening connects. When the oscillating valve '7 vmoves to its otherposition which is indicated in .Fig. '2. oi thedrawlngs .111 broken lines, the communication between :thfi two chambers 9 and 11 is discontinued and air of atmospheric pres -sure which had entered the valve chamber through 'the ,port 26 1S admitted-to :the 1 casing 4: through the continually openkpart 12 of the chamber 9. It will thus be seenuthat during=the oscillating movement 0fthe valve 7 when'the valves 19 areal-ranged as shown and described,:the portion of-a'body within the=casingis subjected alternately to a partial vacuum and to atmospheric air pres' :sure. If it is desired toisubjectzthe part of the body within the casing alternately to at: mospheric pressure :and air pressure exceeding atmospheric, :the :positions of the valves inathe chambers lO'and =1;1 are reversed, with the result that by the oscillating :movement of the valve 7 the chamber- 9 is placed alternately in communication with the atmosphere and with the outlet opening of the pump :instead :of with the inlet opening as above. Should it be required to continuously maintain a partial vacuum 1n 1119 0518- F I placed in the position-shown in-full lines in '2, and the valves in the chambers 10 and '11 placed inithe positions vin which they have been shown :in the same figure." To maintain a continuous air pressure more than atmospheric in the casing, the valve 7 is moved to @the position shown broken lines and the position of thevalves in the chambers 11 and 10 are reversed, and :to connect the casing COIli'lIlllOUSlY with the atmosphere, 1t :15 but necessary to open the port 18 of the chamber 9 by adjustment of the corresponding valve. v

The degree of vacuum produced in the casing 4: :during the operation of the system may be *aried bypartially opening the port 18 of the chamber '9, whereby to admit air.

intothe casing, and the degree of air pres sure within theoasing may be regulated in a similar manner by permitt'm-g the escape of air fromthe same. To vary the proportional lengths-ot'the alternate periods. of dif- I'erent air pressures within "the casing, the block on which the cam face is formed,

bar by adjustment of'the arm28 as shown fis'moved: to either end of the segment on the iin IlQI'OkGllllHeSill "Fig. 4, with the result. 7

that tllEEZI I'C in the circle .of movement of the roller tatthe-end OfFtllG'ClfiIlli 18"b ey" ftwe'enithe ends of the-facesr35 and 36,-which v normally are equal, are diiierently 'proporf "l tioned,.and the valve 7 will remain longer in onset its-positions .thanin the'other. If it is desired ito effect "the different changes I in ltllel'lOWOf "air-to and 'from'the'casingbyV means a'oth'er than the valves in :the chambers lOra-nd 11,=the1ports 18 of-the lattermay both be .closcdiand one orvthe other'of the blocks 25and 27imoved' to aposition'farthen away from-the center of the'circle in which .the :roller :has its motion, as indicated in broken lines at'the left-hand side of Fig l,

whereby to reduce the extent of rthe movement of the oscillating valve 7 and thereby place either one of the chambers 10 and 11 V alternately in communication with'the chamber :9 and with the atmosphere through :the port 26.

The 'velocity with which the oscillatingvalve 1moves with relation to-the substantially constant velocity of the motor 13, 7 may be iv'itfledwltlllll determinate limlts by adjustment of the intermediary wheel 16, and "it is obvious that while for the :purposes 40f. my invention it :is 'preferable'to employ separate motors forthe operation of the-controllingmechanismand'theainpump,

both elements may if so desired, lee-connected through the iinstrumentality ot iproper motion etransmission devices, with one and housing, capable of operation to establish and break communication between the first and second l-ports during alternate periods,

and a valve in the connection of. the first mentioned port with the air-chamber, for placing the chamber in communication with the atmosphere whereby to vary the degree of :a vacuum -01 an air-pressure within the same.

Mechanism of the character described,

comprising a valve-housing having a port for its continuous connectlon with an air,- cham'ber, andtwo ports forlts connection with the intake opening and the discharge opening of an air-pump, a valve within said housing capable of operation for placing the first mentioned port alternately in communication with the two other ports, and adjustable valves adapted to close the connecice with the atmosphere, a valve Within said 'housing capable of operation for placing the first mentioned port alternately in communication with the two other'portmand adjustable valvesadapted to close the connection or" either of the said pump-openings with the valve-housing, and to simultaneously place the disconnected opening in communication with the atmosphere.

a. Mechanism of the character describedv comprising a valve-housinghaving a port for its continuous connection with an air chamber, and two ports for its connection with the intake opening and the discharg opening of an air-pump, a valve within said housing capable of operation for placing the first mentioned port alternately in communicationwith the two other ports, an adjustable valve in the connection between the first mentioned port and the air-chamber for placing the latter in communication with the atmosphere, and adjustable valves adapt ed'to close the connection of either one of the said pump-openings with the valve housing and to simultaneously place the disconnected opening in communication with the atmosphere.

5. Mechanism of the character described comprising a valve-housing having a port for its continuous connection with an airchamber, and two ports for its connection,

chamber, an opening for its connection with the atmosphere, and two ports for its connection with the intake opening and the'discharge-opening of an air-pump, a valve within said housing capable of operation for placing the first mentioned port alternately in communication with the two other ports, and adjustable valves adapted to close the connection of either of the said pump-openings with the valve-housing, V

7. A mechanism, of the character described comprising a valve-housinghaving a continuously open port for its connection withan air-chamber,and a second portforits connection w1th.an1.a1r-pump, a valve in the housing, capable of operation for establishing and breaking the communication be mosphere. 7

8. Mechanism of the character described comprising a housing. having a primary.

valve chamber and two secondary chambers which are separately connected with the primary chamber, by ports, the said secondary chambers having means for their separate connection with air-receiving or air-delivers ingelements, and one of the. said secondary chambershaving a portior its connection with the atmosphere, a valve in the last-mentioned chamberjadapted for adjustmentto: close the port connecting itsfsaid chamber with the primary chamber and to open the atmosphere port of its said chamber, and a valve in the primary chamber, capable of operation to alternately establish and break the communication between the said secondary chambers.

9. Mechanism of the character described comprising a housing having a primary valve-chamber and secondary valve-chambers which are separately connected withithe primary chamberby ports and which have ports to connect them with the atmosphere, valves in said chambers to control the flow oii fluid through and between their ports, and a valve in the primary chamber,-capable of operation to establish and break com munication between-the secondary chambers, said secondary chambers having means fortheir separate connection with air-receiving 3 or air-delivering elements.

10. Mechanism of -the character described comprising a valve chamber having ports for its connection with air-receiving or airdelivering elements, a valve in said chamber for controlling the flow'of'air between its ports, a motor, and apparatus for converting the rotary movement of the motor into an oscillatory'movement of the said valve, including means for varying the rate of motion'oi' the valve with respect to thereon-v stant velocity of the motor.

11. Mechanism of the character described comprising a valve chamber having-=portsx for its connection with air-receiving or airdelivering elements, a valve in said chamber for controlling the flow of air between its ports, a motor, and apparatus for converting the rotary movement of the motorinto an oscillatory movement of the said valve, including adjustable means for varying the proportional lengths of the alternate movements of thevalve in opposite directions;

13. Mechanism of the character described comprising a valve chamber having ports forv for its connection with air-receiving or air delivering elements, a valve in said chamber for controlling the flow of air between its ports, a motor, and apparatus for converting the rotary movement of the motor into an oscillatory movement of the said valve, in-

cluding a pair of friction-disks in operative connection with the valve and with the motor, and an adjustable intermediary wheel in engagement with said disks for transmitting the movement of one to the other. e v

15. Mechanism of the character described comprising a valve chamber having ports for its connection with air-receiving or airdelivering elements, a valve in said chamber for controlling the flow of .air between its ports, a motor, and apparatus for converting the rotary movement of the motor into an oscillatory movement of the said valve,

including a rotary cam-member in operative connection with the motor and a reciprocating bar having an operative connection with the valve and'provided with faces at opposite sides of the axis of rotation of the said cam-member to be alternately engaged thereby, for the reciprocation of the bar.

16. Mechanism of the character described comprising a valve chamber having ports for its connection with air-receiving or airdelivering elements, a valve in said chamber for controlling the flow of air between its ports, a motor, and apparatus for converting the rotary movement of the motor into an oscillatory movement ofthe said valve, including a rotary cam-member in operative connection with the motor, a reciprocating bar having an operative connection with the valve, and blocks which are mounted on said bar at opposite sides of the axisof r0,- tation of said member, and which are provided with faces to be alternately engaged by the said member for the reciprocation of the bar, the said blocks being adjustable on the barfor varying the'distances between their respective faces and the axis of rotationof the cam-member. Y

' 17. Mechanism of the character described comprising a valve chamber having ports for its connection with air-receiving or airdelivering elements, a valvein said chamber for controlling the flow of air'between its ports, 'a motor,"and apparatus for convert 'ing the rotary movement of the motor into an oscillatory movement of the said valve, including a rotary cam-member inoperative connection with the motor, a reciprocating bar having an operative connection with the valve and provided with vfaces at "opposite sides of the axis of rotation of the member,

to be alternately engaged thereby for the reciprocation of the bar, and means for the adjustment of one of said faces for varying its position with relation to the other face, in the circle of movement of said member.

18. Mechanism of the character described comprising a valve chamber having ports for its connection with air-receiving or airdelivering elements, a valve in said chamber for controlling the flow of air between its ports, a motor, and apparatus for converting the rotary movement of the motor into an oscillatory movement of the said valve,

including a rotary cam-member in operative connection with the motor, a reciprocating bar having an operative connection with the valve, an arm pivoted on said bar, and means for securing said arm indifferent angular positions with relation to the'bar, the said arm and the said bar having'faces disposed at opposite sides of the axis of rotation of the said member to be alternately engaged thereby for the reciprocation of the bar.

19. Mechanism of the character described comprising a valve chamber having ports for its connection with air-receiving or airdelivering elements, a valve in saidchamber for controlling the flow of air between its ports, a motor, and apparatus for converting the rotary movement of'the motor into an oscillatory movement of the said valve, including a rotary cam-member in operative connection with the motor, and a reciprocating bar having a crank connection with the said valve, and provided with faces at opposite sides of the axis of rotation of the said member to be alternately engaged thereby ing the rotary movement of the motor into an oscillatory movement of the said valve, including a rotary cam-member in operat ve connection with the motor, a rec procating bar operatively connected with the valve and In testimony whereof I have affixed my provided with faces at opposite sidesof the signature-in presence. of two Witnesses.

axis of rotation of the;said,me1nber to be I alternately engaged thereby for the recipro- CHARLES ABMBRUSTER' cation of the bar, and a spring to yieldingly XVitnesses:

maintain the bar in the positions to which F. HzCUNO, it is moved by the action of sand member. L. RHOADEs.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, byaddressing the Commissioner: of Patents,-

Washington, D. C. 

